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Larry Kamer told CNN that his wife, Pathway employee Devereaux Smith, said the gunman barged into a going-away party for Pathway employees leaving the job.

"They were having cake and toasting, apparently he just walked in with this rifle," Mr Kamer said.

He said his wife and some other employees managed to escape.

But tragically the three women who didn't get out lost their lives.

On a fundraising page set up by the family of Dr Jen Gonzales, a tribute read: "As a young psychiatrist, Jenn dedicated her life to helping service men and women reintegrate and readjust to civilian life.

"Every aspect of Jenn’s life was dedicated to others and her caring and kind spirit was evident to everyone she met.

"Jenn leaves behind her best friend, husband, and father of her unborn child, TJ."

Around 1,000 former soldiers live in the Pathway facility which is around 60 miles north of San Francisco and is the largest home of its kind in the United States.

Cops update the press as Gunman takes hostages in California veterans home

Around 1,000 former soldiers live in the facility (Image: KPIX 5)

It is the largest home of its kind in the United States (Image: KPIX 5)